WASHINGTON, DC  – May 2, 2023 – On May 2^nd, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory report that said that about one-half of adults in the U.S. have experienced loneliness. The coronavirus pandemic made it worse by separating people from friends, relatives, organizations, classmates and associates at work. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 were the most affected age group. Research indicates that loneliness is linked to many medical problems, including early mortality, sleep problems, stroke, heart disease, and mental illness. Dr. Murthy feels that loneliness is as serious a public health problem as smoking and obesity. Loneliness contributes to about a billion-dollar health care cost. The report is part of President Biden’s plan to address the mental health problem in America.

Social connectivity is fundamental to health and well-being. It includes having relationships with others and being involved in the community. Belonging to an organization, group, family or community builds a sense of social connectivity. Relationships suffered from a shift in communication from person-to-person interaction to communication via technology-related devices.

Between 2003 to 2020, Americans spent less time with family and friends and more time alone, according to a published study from the University of Rochester’s Department of Psychiatry. The authors felt that the pandemic increased social isolation while decreasing social engagement. The closing of schools and the workplace during the pandemic kept many people at home and away from family and friends. The average person in the study spent about 60 minutes a day with friends in 2003. This was reduced to 20 minutes a day in 2020, during the beginning of the pandemic. They found that the 15-24-year-old age group spent 70% less time with friends.

Dr. Murthy’s call to action is for Americans to be more social in order to combat loneliness. Increased connectivity can be achieved by joining organizations and groups. He recommends that people spend less time on the phone and social media and encourages time spent at the office. He suggests that social media companies develop methods to keep children’s time on social media at acceptable levels.

He has described a 6-point plan to build social connectivity and reduce loneliness:

1. Develop community social infrastructure and access, like organizations to join, transportation, and public spaces for people to congregate
2. Create public policies that promote equitable social connection
3. Sensitize public health & health care systems to this growing epidemic
4. Reform digital communication systems
5. Repeat evaluations of loneliness and the effect of interventions
6. Create a culture of connectivity

The report was written to raise awareness about this overlooked but very significant health problem. Dr. Murthy says that loneliness is a feeling like hunger and thirst. People have always relied on each other for survival. If a person feels the ‘loneliness’ signal, then he/she engages in social activity. However, if the signal persists without anything being done to take care of the need for social connection, then health problems can arise. “There is really no substitution for interpersonal interaction,” says the Surgeon General.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ATLANTA, GA – May 10, 2023 – On May 4^th, the CDC reported that the 4 leading causes of death of Americans in 2022 was #1 heart disease, #2 cancer, #3 unintentional injury (including drug overdose deaths, death by shootings, and motor vehicle fatalities), and #4 COVID-19. The 4 leading causes of death in 2021 were the same as 2022, however, COVID-19 deaths fell from #3 to #4. There were more deaths from heart disease in 2022 than the previous year. Cancer death rates had decreased from 1999-2020, the year that the COVID pandemic began, but increased between 2021 and 2022. The report for 2022 uses provisional data. The final report will be in November.

More than 3 million people died in the U.S. in 2022, 5% less than in 2021. The death rate fell for all racial and ethnic groups. Death rates were highest in older adults, men, and Black persons. The rate overall and for COVID increased for persons <15 years old and remained higher for Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native groups than other race-ethnic groups.

COVID deaths fell by 47% between 2021 and 2022. Most of the deaths were in the hospital, but more deaths occurred outside of the hospital like in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The highest death rates were in the South (including North Carolina and Florida) and South-Central region (Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). The lowest rates were in New England.

The annual U.S. data on deaths is obtained from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) which is maintained by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The NCHS agency guides public health policy and interventions. Counties and states are obligated to provide death records annually to the NVSS. Data variables include cause of death, age, sex, race, ethnicity, and place of death.

The CDC first reports the annual U.S. mortality data in May, followed by the final report in November. This allows time for the investigation of any questionable findings, to obtain death certificates from late reporting areas, and for review. The gathering of provisional data provides an early opportunity to evaluate trends and begin planning for public health policies and interventions. 2022’s preliminary report highlights the need to focus on men and persons from vulnerable minority groups. These are populations that have higher death rates.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ASHEVILLE, NC – May 10, 2023 – The CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels describe the impact of COVID illness on each county’s healthcare system. The community level for Buncombe County remains at a low level for the week ending April 30^th. Every county in North Carolina and almost all of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level.

The CDC’s Community Transmission Levels describe how much disease is in each county. The transmission level for Buncombe County and most counties in North Carolina are at a moderate level for the week ending April 30^th. 17% of the counties in the U.S. are at a high level and 24% at a low level.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on April 29^th indicate:

• Last week’s total cases are up by 1 from the previous week
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 33% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the bivalent booster.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is unchanged and of ICU patients has increased by 3 from last week.

Beginning in April, the CDC recommends an updated COVID-19 bivalent booster for seniors and immunocompromised people. It is more effective at protecting against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the new variants.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated bivalent booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

For a county at a low community level, like Buncombe County, the CDC recommends:

• If you are at high risk for getting sick, wear a high-quality mask in a public indoors space.
• If you plan on being with someone at high risk for getting sick, consider self-testing for COVID-19 infection and wear a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour